CHARACTERS:

Virgil
Meg
a few others with minor roles.

Rating: PG for some violent themes and a few minor curse words (nothing you wouldn't hear on the show, though.)
Summary: Virgil hasn't forgotten...
Subtext: None whatsoever.
Violence: The basic theme of this is violence, but there's no blood and gore or anything.
Author's Notes: Thanks to Nancy Lorenz for the great lyrics. "Labyrinth" is one of my all-time favorite movies, and this song is wonderful. I tried to do something a little different with this story, this being my first not featuring Joxer or Gabrielle in a main role. Let's hope I succeeded. *g* This story is written for the seventh round of the GJRS Lyrics Challenge. Enjoy!

The handsome youth smiled ironically as he stared down at the scroll, clear hazel eyes nearly boring a hole in the parchment. His gaze fell on that of the baby in the portrait, her face frozen in a girlish coo as she gripped the breastplate of her warrior mother who grinned, holding her close. He lightly traced a finger along the outline of the child's profile before his lips curled into a vicious sneer and he shoved his entire fist through the fragile old material, ripping it in half.

"How you turned my world, you precious thing," the young man muttered, tearing the scroll from its rods and crumbling it into the tiniest ball he could manage. With a yell, he threw the ruined drawing as far as he could across the horizon and watched it float to earth slowly, like a tiny tumbleweed. He uttered a silent prayer for the forgiveness of his father, knowing how he treasured every page, every scrap, every bit of memory that he had of the friends he loved. Had treasured. Had loved. As in not anymore...no, Livia had taken care of that love and care quickly.

She had taken care of his father, and by doing so, she had taken care of his mother, too. Poor Meg. Gods, how she had loved Joxer. After the disappearances of Xena and Gabrielle, she had gone to him while the news was fresh and convinced him to marry her, that she'd take care of him and ease his pain. Well, that hadn't quite worked out, but Joxer had grown to love Meg in his own way. Virgil was the only one of the children to know that Joxer had married Meg as a second choice, and she had been glad of it. After years of being a night of fun to any filthy drunk that ventured in, it was different to be cherished and cared for. She had never wanted for anything with Joxer. He treated her as he would have Gabrielle, given the chance.

No. Virgil quickly shook his head as images of the sunny warrior bard permeated his thoughts. No, he wouldn't think of her now. It hurt too much to wonder what could have happened, what adventures they could have had, if her "daughter" hadn't decided to bump off dear old Dad. Yes, he still cared for Gabrielle and even Xena. Hard not to after all the wonderful things his father and mother both had told him about them, and especially after twenty years growing up in their shrine. But if they got in the way...

He shook his head again. He wasn't going to think about that, either. The mission at hand was what was important. His mother had grown vengeful in her widowhood, and it was worse since she had moved in with old Granddad, Joxer's father. After twenty-five years, the prison in Marimus had grown tired of paying for his room and board and decided to release him, at which time the feeble old man sent for Meg and his grandchildren to help take care of him. Jace wouldn't go near him, and Jett didn't want his own children corrupted by the man who had molded him into the former King of Assassins. Virgil could still hear that last conversation.

"Virgil, I'm old. I'm old, and I'm tired. But I loved your father...and if no one else will avenge his death, I will." Meg uttered coldly as she lifted the two young ones into the wagon, turning to him. The children quickly settled into the blankets, yawning as they drifted off to sleep. It was far past their bedtime.

Virgil shivered as for a moment, he saw the Destroyer of Nations in her eyes. The kind, cheerful mother he'd grown up with had died with her beloved husband.

"Mother, don't talk like that..." the gentle young man stuttered, touching his mother's arm. Widening her eyes, she brushed him away with almost a growl. "You--you wouldn't make it, not against Xena...remember what happened to Athena? Poseidon? Discord?" He gulped quietly. "Tayla and Pyros need you. I--I need you."

"Don't be a sissy, boy!" she hissed, a slender finger shoved in his face in the midst of the darkness. "Everything I've done, I've done for you, your father and your brothers! It's time I got something I want! And I want Livia's blood!" Meg's eyes had gone dangerously wild, and Virgil couldn't help but step back. "No one takes from Meg---that stopped when I closed the brothel!"

Trying to calm his mother, Virgil slid burly arms around her and whispered softly, eyes shifting back and forth nervously, "Mom, I'm going to miss him too, but he died the way he always wanted. He died a hero, saving--"

She pushed her son away, snarling, "He died saving that little blonde bitch! The one that treated him like an annoying puppy for years and years, while I sat waiting for him to stop taking it! If she hadn't been frozen, he would have taken it forever!" Her voice dropped to a low hiss. "She should have died there at the campground. Livia should have killed her. Not your father."

Virgil blinked a few times, his mouth opening and closing wordlessly. He would have given anything to have his father back, but he loved Gabrielle too. As Joxer had once told him, she could have been his mother if things had gone differently. The young bard desperately racked his brain for anything that might calm Meg, but his mind was blank.

"All right, so maybe I'm a little old for adventures. I probably wouldn't stand a chance against Xena or her butch little pal." Suddenly, she was gentle again as she brushed her fingers through his hair, smoothing it tenderly. "Though I do believe in you, my son, my beautiful son. You have the spirit of warlords within you. Do this for your mother. Kill Livia. Kill the reincarnation of the Goddess of Rage. She'll only hurt more people if she's given the chance...it's all up to you, Virgil." She jumped up onto the seat of the cart without warning and flicked the reins. The horses began to trot.

Frantically, Virgil ran alongside her, strong legs pumping madly to keep up. "Mother, wait! I hate her, and I want to kill her and make Father proud, but how do I? Everything I've been taught says to love, to forgive and let others into my heart."

"So love without your heartbeat for a while!" Meg called, giving him a wave and an evil grin as she rounded the corner and disappeared into the trees.

It had come to this. Livia had killed Joxer, and now Virgil would kill Livia. It was inevitable, really. Who hadn't seen it coming?

"I never saw this coming," Virgil whispered before steeling himself and strapping on his father's sword as he mounted, taking a last look at the charred remains of his home. All he could see was her eyes, wide and unblinking as she plunged the cold blade deep into his father's unsuspecting belly. Even as she pretended to change, the evil remained, waiting to be released. As he had seen, Livia had the potential to be cruel.

"Just as I can be so cruel," he muttered, gesturing a sign of respect in the direction of his farm before leading his horse onto the road. Oh yes, Livia would die. He'd make sure of it. Joxer the Mighty would be avenged.

You've run so long, you've run so far, Empress of Rome, but I'll find you. I'll find you if it takes all my life. And I'll kill you....for Mother. And for Father....may he rest in peace.

Neither horse nor rider heard the soft whisper of the wind:

As long as revenge taints your heart, I can't live within you.

The wind gently caressed the rider for a moment before fading as the white stallion galloped off over the plains, dust flying in its wake.

Please take the time to write to Melanie at melalucci@aol.com, and let her know how you liked the story!

COPYRIGHT DISCLAIMER:
Xena: Warrior Princess, Joxer, Virgil, Meg, and all characters who have appeared in the series, together with the names, titles and backstory are the sole copyright property of StudiosUSA and Renaissance Pictures. The lyrics to "Within You" are owned by the appropriate copyright holders. No infringement of copyrights or trademarks is intended in the writing of this fan fiction. This story is copyright © 2000 by Melanie Lakey and is her sole property along with the story idea. This story cannot be sold or used for profit in any way. Copies of this story may be made for private use only and must include all disclaimers and copyright notices.